Thomas County Commissioners review optional employee insurance benefits
July 20, 2026
Thomas County Commissioners held a brief regular meeting Monday, July 20, at the Historic Thomas County Courthouse, with much of the discussion centered on a potential voluntary insurance option for county employees.
Aaron Brinkerhoff, representing Washington National Insurance Company, presented information about supplemental accident, critical illness and life insurance products that could be offered to county employees at no direct cost to Thomas County.
Brinkerhoff said Washington National currently works with more than 50 Kansas counties, including several in northwest Kansas. The company provides voluntary policies that are intended to provide supplemental financial security to employees. Options include additional protection for accidents, cancer diagnoses, heart attacks, strokes, and other covered medical events.
These plans are unlike typical health insurance, where the supplemental plans provide cash benefits directly to policy holders. After an employee experiences a qualifying event, they would be reimbursed for medical expenses, lost wages, travel costs, or household expenses.
Brinkerhoff discussed primarily the return-of-premium option for employees. With the policy, employees could receive their premiums back if they failed to the full benefits, minus any claims that were paid.
Brinkerhoff said the feature is intended to give employees value from their coverage even when they do not experience a major accident or illness.
The company also offers term and permanent life insurance policies. Brinkerhoff said some products allow policyholders to lock in rates rather than seeing premiums increase periodically as they age.
Special enrollment periods may also allow employees to purchase specific life insurance policies without completing a physical examination or answering health questions. Brinkerhoff said that could provide coverage opportunities for employees who may otherwise have difficulty qualifying for an individual policy.
Employees would be able to choose products based on their family situation, health history, financial needs and available budget. Coverage options could also be available for spouses, children and grandchildren.
Participation would be entirely optional, with employees responsible for paying the premiums through payroll deductions. The county would not contribute toward the policies, although county staff would assist with administering the deductions.
Brinkerhoff said he would coordinate with department heads to schedule presentations around employee work schedules. That could include early-morning meetings with Road and Bridge employees or presentations during shift changes for law enforcement, dispatch and emergency personnel.
Commissioners did not take action on the proposal. Instead, they agreed to provide the information to county department heads and collect feedback before deciding whether Washington National should be allowed to present the products directly to employees.
Commissioners also approved two accounts payable registers totaling $55,113. The payments included $45,701.40 from Courthouse General and an additional register totaling $9,411.60.
Minutes from the commission’s June 30 regular meeting, July 6 regular meeting and July 9 special budget session were approved without changes.
During miscellaneous business, commissioners acknowledged receiving a 2027 budget request from LiveWell Northwest Kansas. The request was received for future consideration, but no formal action was taken Monday.
The county also received information from the Thomas County Economic Development Alliance, including materials connected to the organization’s upcoming July meeting.
With no announcements or additional business, commissioners voted to adjourn.